Meet the Founders
Drawing upon their firsthand experiences in the Marine Corps, our founders understand the unique challenges faced by those who serve. Their unwavering commitment to their brothers and sisters in arms fuels their determination to make a lasting impact on the lives of veterans and service members uniting with their families.
Joel's journey spans continents, beginning in Honolulu and weaving through diverse landscapes, including Florida, Japan, Cambodia, and New York. With professional roots in finance at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., as well as experience in entrepreneurial consulting, Joel's path has been as varied as his global experiences. Currently, as a Logistics Officer and Company Commander in the Marine Corps, he assists service members in navigating the complexities of military life. Through Jets for Vets, Joel aspires to channel his worldly insights and professional acumen to serve those in the military in a new capacity.
Seth, a native of Raleigh, NC and Duke University graduate, found his purpose in serving others. As a Logistics Officer in the Marine Corps, he brings dedication and precision to his role. Seth's passion for community service was ignited at a young age where he regularly volunteered with local charities in his community. Witnessing his fellow Marines struggling to afford flights home to see their families during the holiday season inspired him to co-found Jets for Vets, a non-profit dedicated to providing essential support to veterans in need. Outside of his military service, Seth enjoys golfing and is deeply committed to giving back to his community.
Joel Forwalder
Seth McGann
Co-Founder
Co-Founder
Board of Directors
In the spirit of maximizing impact, we’re focused on two things: growth and governance. Our Board of Directors helps provides strategic direction for us to fuel our efforts in giving back to service members and veterans alike.
Jackie Barnum
BOARD MEMBER
Coming Soon
BOARD MEMBER
Jim G.
BOARD MEMBER
Advisory Team
Jets for Vets is proud to be guided by a team of distinguished advisors who bring a wealth of expertise and passion to our cause. With a shared commitment to supporting our nation's veterans and service members, these individuals provide invaluable insight and guidance, helping us navigate the complex challenges of geographic distance faced by those who serve.
Cole Scanlon
ADVISOR
Mason Estep
ADVISOR
Cole, a native of Miami, FL, earned a B.A. in applied mathematics from Harvard College and M.Sc. in social policy at Oxford University. Cole's professional experiences range from analyst roles at Goldman Sachs, the World Bank, and Google. He is currently serving as a Ground Intelligence Officer in the United States Marine Corps. In addition to advising the Jets for Vets operating team, he is the Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Fair Opportunity Project (FairOpp). FairOpp is a nationally-recognized, federally-funded education nonprofit aimed at helping students attend and afford college, while also exploring other opportunities post-high school.
Bolaji Masha
ADVISOR
Abdulfatah (“Bolaji”) is a self-described FinTech enthusiast who recently received his MBA at Columbia Business School (CBS). During Bolaji’s time at CBS, he interned at Citibank and served on the leadership board of the Columbia FinTech club, ultimately organizing several activities for the club including the largest funded technology conference in CBS’ history (alleycon). Over the last year, Bolaji has developed GTM strategies for two FinTech startups (Cenoa, Fonbnk), providing creative solutions to help these companies achieve their goals in their respective markets. Bolaji's pre-MBA experience was earned solving complex analytical and organizational problems during his four-year stint in consulting (Accenture and EY).
Mason is the Co-Founder of a rapidly growing Mediterranean restaurant chain, capitalizing on his prior experience working hand-in-hand with the founder of Donatos at the Edge Innovation Center. Since moving on from prior entrenreneurial, venture-funded endeavors such as SmokeTech and Platter, Mason has entered the media and entertainment industry. His aim is to reshape the way fans purchase sports merchandise and engage with their favorite teams.